The magic number that should trigger easing of restrictions in Victoria
Pressure is set to mount on the Victorian government to fast-track the easing of virus restrictions now the state has hit its fourteen-day target with no new coronavirus cases.
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The state government is tipped to come under increased pressure to fast-track the easing of remaining restrictions if Victoria records its 14th consecutive day of zero coronavirus cases on Friday.
Under the state’s original recovery roadmap the 14-day target was set to trigger significant changes to Victorian restriction on public and private gatherings.
Modelling had predicted Victoria would reach the milestone about November 23 triggering the green light for public gatherings of 50 people and private gatherings of 20 people.
Under the revised roadmap public gatherings of 50 people will still be allowed from November 23, but private gatherings will be capped at 10.
Mr Andrews is expected to face increased pressure to fast track the changes if Victoria hits the 14-day target today in line with the original public health advice.
Victoria on Thursday had just three active COVID-19 cases, fewer than Queensland, NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Opposition leader Michael O’Brien said Victorians deserved an early move to COVID-normal.
“Victorians have done the hard work. Now Andrews needs to take the handbrake off and let us get back to work and get our lives back,” he said.
“Andrews has made too many Captain’s calls, going well beyond public health advice on things like masks and the curfew.
“Despite two weeks of zero cases, the Premier continues to hold our state back and with that, jobs and people are suffering.”
Melbourne’s 14 day average has dropped to just 0.1 while in regional Victoria it was zero.
CBD retail stores Cotton on and H&M were listed as COVID public exposure sites after a confirmed case shopped there on November 8 but authorities said there was no ongoing risk at the sites.
Terminal four at Melbourne Airport has also been added to the coronavirus watch list, angering airport workers who said they learnt of the a recent COVID case “via the media and word of mouth”.
Anybody who visited terminal four on Monday afternoon has been asked to get tested if they have any coronavirus symptoms.
Health Minister Martin Foley said final decisions would continue to be based on the latest public health advice.
“Our scheduled next announcement is November 22 and I would be working on the basis of that,” he said.
“We’ve made it very clear that we’ll take a careful, cautious approach to making sure that once we do open we stay open.
“Each step of the way has been marked and run by data and science and that will continue.”
Mr Andrews said it was vital the government had enough data to take further steps.
“We’ll just have to see how things go,” he said.
“We’ve got to have enough data so that we’ve got the most complete picture and when we make assumptions they’re based on the very best evidence.
“I’d love to make all those announcements this Sunday.
“These announcements are spaced out in two-weeks blocks because that’s kind of the life cycle of this virus.
“Even 13 days of zero cases is not the same as a vaccine. This thing will still be lurking out there.”
Mr Andrews said it also was too early to speculate when the majority of Victorians may be able to stop working from home.
“We’re well on track to be able to make all those changes that were foreshadowed very recently on November 22,” he said.
“And hopefully talk a little bit more about what the rest of November, and what the run up to that COVID normal Christmas looks like.
“If we can, we’re going to certainly speak about some of the settings as we move into 2021.”
VICTORIA’s ORIGINAL RECOVERY ROADMAP
From 23 November subject to public health advice and if no new cases for previous 14 days
Public gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors
Visitors at home – up to 20 visitors at a time
Retail - all open
Hospitality – indoor group limit of 20 people for seated service, cap of 50 patrons
Real estate – open with safety measures
Weddings, funerals – maximum of 50 people
Religion – public worship resumes subject to density quotas
VICTORIA’S CURRENT ROADMAP
From 23 November
Public gatherings of up to 50 people outdoors
Visitors at home - up to 10 at a time
Retail - already open
Hospitality - indoor cap of 100 people, density of one person per 4 sqm; outdoor cap 200, density of one per 2 sqm
Real Estate - capped at 20 people indoors, with a density of one person per 4 sqm and 50 people outdoors
Weddings, funerals – maximum of 100 people
Religion – 100 people indoors, 500 people outdoors
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